Al Schillaci of Owen Sound has been coming to Fiddleville long enough to remember the several transitions since the original Hyland Park days - including the Highway 24 sea of mud in about 1989 - and he likes the layout and amenities of the new park perhaps more than any other.

Perhaps remembering 1989, Mr. Schillaci and his group chose high ground, rather than the slight incline at the north end of the park. But it wouldn't have mattered which they had chosen, as all roadways are nicely graveled and were bone dry Wednesday despite Tuesday's rain.

The roadways and the running water, available to all campers throughout the centre of the park, were among the things that impressed.

The two improvements that Ron McKibbon of Owen Sound felt would make the park even more inviting would have been electrical outlets and a later grooming of the grass. (Mr. McKibbon's son Barry had come from Calgary for the Fiddleville event, but wasn't available for an interview as he had gone somewhere Wednesday morning.)

Pat and Barry Pawliw of Mount Forest had the grooming under control, as they had brought their own riding mower - all part of the fun and fellowship of Fiddle Time in Shelburne.

On electricity, Russel Scriver of Shelburne Kinsmen said there are plans afoot for some time in the future, but those would have to be cleared by town council (including consultation with Amaranth council under an annexation agreement).

Grooming had been left as late as it could have been, he said.

"We cut the grass two Wednesdays before the event. We came out and put the stakes in, but you can't mow (with large equipment) after the stakes are in."

Back at the campground, Mr. Schillaci said his group had arrived late Tuesday night. They weren't the first to come to the park. The first ones in on Monday had been a four-trailer group that perennially includes Clarence (Fleet) White.

One member of that group said electrical outlets might have been at least as important as running water, but didn't feel the lack would be too much of a detraction. He was using the water tap at the Kinsmen trailer at the time.

Mr. Schillaci, viewing the berm at east side of the park and the heavily treed area behind it, was surprised to learn that there had been initial opposition to the location of the park, but "there's always someone who'll complain," he said.

Someone else observed that it's been the experience that the first to complain will also be the first to come for a visit, and enjoy it while they're there.

In addition to cutting the grass, Mr. Scriver said the setting up of the park had involved eradication of about 200 groundhogs. They might have missed one. Gail McKibbon found one hole that she thought might have still housed one of the animals. Someone suggested a groundhog hunt in 2008.

Mr. Scriver couldn't say how many campers had already arrived Wednesday. He did say there are 510 sites, and all are likely to be filled. In addition to the sites, there's a 450-vehicle parking lot at the west side of the park adjacent to the road.

Each campsite is considered a residence for purposes of the Liquor Control Act. A sign at the entrance advises that open liquor cannot be transported or drunk outside of the individual campsite.